Back to drawing board for 75% tax

THE government has pledged to redraft and resubmit a law imposing a 75% income tax rate on earnings over €1million, after France's constitutional court ruled that it was unfair.

The Conseil Constitutionnel said the temporary two-year rate was unconstitutional because it was applied on an indvidual basis, whereas other personal tax is based on households.

For example, a household with one person earning €1million and the other adult on minimum wage would be hit by the 75% tax - but a couple each earning €950,000 would not be affected.

The new top rate of income tax would have applied to an estimated 1,500 people - but some have left France in protest.

Actor Gerard Depardieu relocated to Belgium - but he said the decision to overturn the tax rate would not affect his move.

He told Le Parisien: "I don't care about any of this. This changes nothing."